From 600 BCE to CE

​Neo-Babylonian - The Records of Nebuchadnezzar2014 SOLD 605 K$ including premium

The cuneiform writing appeared in Mesopotamia more than 5000 years ago. It was carved by scribes on clay tablets which can take various geometries : planar surfaces, cylinders, cones, pebbles.

At the inauguration of a religious monument, it was common that the reasons of its consecration to a specific god are recorded on such clay structures, in a tight writing. The original tablets were buried in the foundations of the new temple as a symbol of the everlasting and mystical glory of the reigning monarch.

One may wonder why such a literary and historiographical attempt was made for being immediately hidden. I guess that these plates were also used as seals or at least as models to create more fragile copies that have not survived.

The temples of the city of Sippar, between Baghdad and Babylon, housed one of the biggest cuneiform libraries.

On April 9 in New York, Doyle sells a large barrel shaped cylinder 21 cm long, which is devoted to the reconstruction of a temple to the sun god Shamash at Sippar by Nabu-kudurri-usur 2600 years ago. This document is estimated $ 300K .

Better known with his Biblical name of Nebuchadnezzar II, this king of the Neo-Babylonian dynasty was one of the most powerful monarchs of antiquity, considered by the Jews as an intimidating enemy of monotheism. The creation of the legendary Hanging Gardens of Babylon is attributed to his sumptuous reign.

​- 460 Sicily perverted by Greek Gods​2016 SOLD for CHF 600K before fees

The city of Naxos near Catania on the east coast of Sicily was the earliest Greek colony in Sicily, anticipating Syracuse, and got its name from the Cycladic island with which it should not be confused. It was also one of the first Western cities to develop a coinage carved on both sides.

Naxos and Catania are emptied of their inhabitants about 2490 years ago by the tyrants of Syracuse. The political dominance is reverted following some rebellions, and freedom is retrieved 2476 years ago, 460 years before the origin of our calendar.

A tetradrachm was issued in Naxos in Sicily at that time, certainly for celebrating the end of the exile. Its bold rendering of Greek gods is a masterpiece of ancient coinage without being an artistic renewal. It is assumed that the same artist had previously executed a tetradrachm for Aetna (Aitna) which was the name of Catania during the Syracusan occupation.

On one side the portrait of Dionysus in full surface is remarkably well balanced for its times with a thick beard and a smile that may be vicious. He wears a crown of ivy leaves. On the other side the invitation to debauchery is worse ! Silenus squats in full nude,vigorously muscular and ithyphallic. The bust unbalanced by intoxication, he inspects the cup that contains his beverage.

A coin remaining in extremely fine condition was sold for £ 320K before fees by Morton and Eden on April 23, 2012. It is estimated CHF 500K for sale by Numismatica Ars Classica in Zurich on October 6, lot 1019 in the catalog shared by the bidding platform Sixbid.

​Classical Period - Greek Helmets​2017 SOLD for $ 1.04M including premium

There is no doubt that civilizations amplified the wars by raising the stakes far beyond simple disputes about local territories. It was logical to protect the head of the warrior by a hard helmet.

3,500 years ago in Central Greece, the Mycenaean civilization had helmets that wrapped around the top of the head and were extended by cheek guards, made by assemblies of boar's tusks. The Bronze Age will mark a great step forward in the strength and effectiveness of these accessories.

The Greek helmets in bronze are generally formed by the hammering of a single plate of metal. The archaic types are named Corinthian and Illyrian. They were very heavy and enveloping, causing a dangerous discomfort for sight and hearing.

In the classical period around 2450 years ago, the helmet became open and light. Henceforth the helmets of the military leaders carry incisions, crests and plumes which make it possible to distinguish the rank of the bearer. Of course archaeological findings provide a very incomplete idea of ​​the original patina and of the ephemeral ornaments added for parades and jousts.

A terribly minimalist Corinthian helmet was sold for $ 37.5K including premium by Christie's on June 6, 2013. In the same sale, a very geometric Illyrian helmet incised with some ornaments was sold for $ 435K including premium over a lower estimate of $ 70K.

On April 28 in New York, Christie's sells a Chalcidian-type helmet of the classical period, lot 7 estimated $ 350K. The elegance of its overall shape and of its carvings on forehead and on cheek guards resolutely positions this piece in the transition between the artifact necessary for war and the art object usable for the parade.

The Phrygian-type garrison helmet found by a metal detector in the border area between Roman Britannia and Caledonia is exclusively a parade piece since it was equipped with a realistic mask. It was sold for £ 2,28M including premium by Christie's on October 7, 2010.

​- 409 Just Before the Fall of Agrigento2012 SOLD 2.3 MCHF before fees

Akragas, now Agrigento, on the south coast of Sicily, was one of the most prosperous cities of the Greek world, and one of the first to issue silver coins.

About 2423 years ago (409BC in our calendar), this coinage reached its artistic zenith with a beautiful silver decadrachm. The detail of the carving is superb, so much that experts are still wondering if this coin was actually intended to circulate. However, we must also consider that even at this distant time the officials were certainly wary of fakes.

We see on one side a quadriga in full motion. More original, the other side shows a remarkably realistic flying eagle carrying a rabbit.

An almost perfect example of this decadrachm was sold $ 570K by Sotheby's on June 19, 1990, an exceptional price for that time. It comes back at auction on October 17 by Numismatica Ars Classica inZurich, with an estimate of CHF 1.75 M. The image of the quadriga side is shared by Artdaily. Here is the link to the catalog on the specialized online platform Sixbid.

This model is extremely rare for a good reason: as early as 406BC, Akragas was destroyed by the Carthaginians. I told very recently in this group that this terrible defeat, coupled with the installation of anarchy in Athens in 404BC, would pave the way for the highly effective tyranny of Dionysius in Syracuse.

POST SALE COMMENT

The pieces which are exceptional in their category have no price limit! This coin was sold CHF 2.3 million before fees.

​The Venus of Chupicuaro2013 SOLD 2 M€ including premium

La cultura Chupicuaro took the name of a Mexican village where very old cemeteries were discovered in 1946 during the preparation of a dam. It is characterized by outstanding funeral ceramics in the period that followed the decline of the Olmec culture.

On March 22 inParis, Sotheby's sells a Venus of Chupicuaro type very tall in its class, 71 cm high, made ​​2400 years ago in ceramic with red and beige slipware. Rather slender compared to other specimens, the woman wears on her stomach, back and face a repetitive pattern of geometric figures cleverly interwoven.

This statuette coming from the Barbier-Mueller collection is estimated € 2M. Here is the link to the catalog.

POST SALE COMMENT

This 'venus' is a splendid example of a primitive figure of fertility associated with an already subtle control of the art of fire. It was sold € 2M including premium.

​The Satyr of the Black Sea2012 SOLD 3.8 M$ including premium

In seeking to extend their influence in West Asia, the ancient Greeks established colonies. The city of Pantikapaion occupied a very strategic position, on the west coast of the strait between Black Sea and Azov Sea.

2350 to 2300 years ago, this city-state was powerful. An independent dynasty coming from Thrace ruled it for nearly a century, and its gold coins are among the masterpieces of ancient coinage.

The stater with satyr has a very sharp carving. On one side this mythical character is facing, shaggy, bearded, with the nose of a drunkard and the ears of a horse. It is a beautiful and powerful ancient portrait. On the other side, a winged griffin is standing to left but turns his head toward us. A Greek letter is certainly the initial of the name of the city.

A very nice specimen of this coin is for sale on January 4 in New York by Baldwin's. It weighs 9.12 g, and its nearly circular cutout is rather well centered. Estimated $ 650K, it is the top lot in a remarkable collection of antique coins.

Pantikapaion began to decline at the time of Alexander the Great, and its last great historical event, much later, was the suicide of Mithridates.

POST SALE COMMENT

There was no doubt on the quality of this coin. It was announced for several months as the star lot of the exceptional Prospero collection. Its price, $ 3.25 million before fees, 3.8 million after calculating the buyer's premium of 17%, ranks it among the masterpieces of antique art.

​Later Ptolemies - A Princess in Black Diorite2009 SOLD 620 K€ including premium

PRE SALE DISCUSSION

At the auction room Drouot in Paris, a princess (or goddess) in black diorite is the most courted lot of the beginning of the year. As early as November 7, we saw it in an advertisement appearing in La Gazette de l'Hôtel Drouot. It was then presented on a cover of this weekly magazine, and in the websites Drouot Presse and Drouot.

It is an outstanding bust of 47 cm high, dating from the end of the Ptolemy Dynasty, 2050 or 2100 years ago. Remember that this dynasty is the link between Alexander the Great and Julius Caesar. Founded by a general of the former, it did not survive the wars of the latter. This period was magnificent for arts and literature.

The diorite was very popular in the sculpture of the ancient Egyptians. It enabled a very fine carving, and many items in this material are very well preserved. It is not quite the case for our princess, who lost her nose. The rest of the face and breasts, beautifully polished, are contrasting dramatically with the detailed carving of the wig.

Presented at Lot 194 by the auction house PIASA in the sale of Archeology organized by Pierre Bergé et Associés on January 17, it is estimated 300 K €. Without further research on this topic, it seems to me that this beautiful statue is of exceptional size in its category. I hope it reaches a significant price.

POST SALE COMMENT

The Princess of Egypt achieved an excellent result: 500 K € before fees.

At the same price of 500 K € before fees in the same sale, there was a marble statue of Aphrodite 69 cm high, Roman art from a Greek model.

​- 43 Brutus Imperator​2015 SOLD for CHF 900K before fees

Caesar's murder was committed in the Ides of March of a year that Livy will soon calculate as 709 Ab Urbe Condita. The group of conspirators was led by Brutus and Cassius, and the first blow is traditionally attributed to Casca Longus.

This Casca Longus seems to have been a very close associate to Brutus. He belongs to the gens Servilius. Brutus had been adopted in his youth by an uncle who was also a Servilius.

Brutus and Cassius were first granted amnesty by the Senate before accepting positions of proconsuls that temporarily separated them. Both issued coins.

On October 8 in Zurich, Numismatica Ars Classica sells an aureus of Brutus, estimated CHF 500K, lot 23 on the bidding platform Sixbid, also shown in the post shared by Coin World. A better centered example was sold for CHF 850K before fees by the same auction house on November 18, 2013.

One side shows the head of Brutus from profile. The emaciated face carved in high relief is probably the only remaining realistic portrayal of Brutus in that period. This side is inscribed BRUTUS IMP. The coin has certainly been issued in 710AUC after a campaign by Brutus in Thrace which earned him the title of imperator.

When he was assassinated, Caesar had just appointed himself as dictator, arousing the horror among the republicans. His likeness on an aureus was felt as a provocation. The portrait of Brutus on a later aureus does not mean a betrayal of the republic but rather a tradition of Greece where he still was the Roman proconsul.

The other side shows military symbols aside with the name of Casca Longus without an effigy. This does not mean that Brutus shared any supreme power with his accomplice but rather that Casca Longus was his moneyer, meaning the responsible for his coinage (and not the engraver). The name of Brutus himself had appeared as the moneyer on a Republican coin issued ten years earlier.

The Brutus aureus thus predates the silver denarius glorifying the Ides of March by the inscription EID MAR, an example of which was sold for $ 546K including premium by Heritage on 7 September 2011. This ultimate denarius of Caesar's traitor is politically ambiguous, with an idealized portrait.

​- 33 The Genius of the Lamp2010 SOLD 1.15 M$ including premium

A Roman bronze lamp has survived the centuries to come to us. It is estimated $ 800 K, for sale by Christie's in New York on June 10.

This object, specifically a lamp stand, consists of two sculptures on a pedestal. One of them is a twisting trunk on top of which several branches are used to hang the lamps. Before it is the sculpture of a friendly boy. The total height being 80 cm, I estimate the thickness of the base to about 10 cm, the tree at 70 cm and 30 cm for the character. There are still some traces of silver.

A feature of the art of the late Republic and early Empire is that it serves to show to the Roman people the likeness and figure of the emperors, of their immediate family and of the pretenders to power. Possible themes are limited to the point that experts provide a plausible identification of the genius of our lamp.

The boy, aged six or seven years, is dressed as an Armenian, particularly with a high pyramidal headdress. In 719 of the Roman calendar, 2043 years ago, Marc Antony, master of the East since the partition of Brindisi, is sharing power with his two sons. Armenia is entering the field of Alexander Helios, aged six years.

I said above that this sculpture is friendly. The young Alexander (let us name him so) has a cheerful and dynamic attitude, a raised arm showing his will, his legs in position of walking. Whether or not the son of Antony, this young Roman disguised as a little Eastern prince is a masterpiece.

​-27 Augustus and the Heifer2014 SOLD for £ 480K including premium

Julius Caesar was murdered 709 years after the founding of Rome, according to calculations made ​​later by Livy. All the ambitious leaders rush into the conquest of power. Among them, the youngest is Caius Octavius​​ whose adoption by Caesar had been ratified by the Senate. He shows his political will by changing his name to Caius Julius Caesar Octavianus.

Octavian is the winner, after 13 years of civil war. He understood that, in order to maintain his dominance, he must be respected as a demi-god or even more. Before the decisive battle of Actium, he promised to open a temple. His choice was to honor the most beautiful of the gods, Apollo.

Three years after Actium, Octavian inaugurates the temple of Apollo Palatinus on a place marked by lightning. This political act is extremely important because it includes the transfer of the Sibylline Books from the Capitoline temple of Jupiter. Military winner, Octavian also perfectly knew how to use the traditional Roman superstitions.

In the following year, 726 from the founding of Rome, he becomes Augustus Caesar, which means the sacred emperor entitled to make oracles and the absolute master of political power.

In the sale of 22 and 23 September in London, Dix Noonan Webb offers an aureus of Augustus Caesar, whose figures tend to show that it was made in the very first years of the Roman Empire.

It is inscribed 'Caesar' on one side with the portrait of the leader that lost the realistic hardness of the Republican era to provide an idealization inspired by Apollo. His beauty remains plausible for a man who was not yet 40 years old.

It is inscribed 'Augustus' on the reverse side with a heifer lowering the spine, which is not a symbol of virginity but of sacrifice. This image is directly inspired by four statues from the old Greek sculptor Myron of Eleutherae that were adorning the altar of Apollo Palatinus. Both sides thus show a tight link between the two imperial arts, sculpture and coinage.

Several variants of this aureus exist, with laureate or bare head, head to the left or to the right, beast going left or right. This series of variants that were probably struck together is certainly designed for some interpretation of auspices. Three combinations have never been seen. The coin for sale is unique, with the laureate head to the right and the heifer to the left.

In very fine condition, it is estimated in excess of £ 300K. Both sides are shown in the post shared by Numismatic News.

Bronze figure of Artemis and the stag2007 SOLD 28.6 M$ including premium by Sotheby's